Adaptable cup holder food tray

ABSTRACT

A food tray has a flat plate with an upper surface and a lower surface; a first and a second side and a first and a second end of the plate; a first elbow being positioned under the tray and approximately at the corner of the first end and first side, and a second elbow being positioned under the tray and approximately at the corner of the second end and the first side; the two elbows each having a first portion attached to the lower surface of the plate and being long enough to extend nearly to the bottom of an armchair cupholder; and a second portion angled to pass under the bottom of an armchair cupholder.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is in the field of food trays and more particularly in the field of food trays mountable on armchair cup holders.

BACKGROUND

Movie theaters in the USA and around the world have extended their food menu selection from the traditional popcorn and candy to include soda, pizza, chicken, hotdogs, appetizers such as cheese sticks, and ice cream. Having made and paid for their selections, moviegoers then face the problem of carrying multiple foods to their seats and balancing the foods on their laps. This is especially awkward when children must be shepherded to their seats, such as parents with offspring or chaperones on a school field trip.

Moviegoers who purchase food actually have several problems: full hands that cannot perform other tasks, limited flexibility with inconvenience and frustration, inadequate supervision of children, and impaired enjoyment of their movie experience.

Movie theaters now include cupholders on the ends of armrests. That takes care of the beverage, but the moviegoer still needs to juggle other foods.

Although moviegoers have been able to manage the current situation, they would appreciate having a portable food tray to carry their food on, releasing their hands and laps, increasing enjoyment of the experience. Theater owners could sell more food, were it easily carried and held by the moviegoer.

A number of patents cover food trays for use with armchair cupholders (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,118,063; 5,720,516; 6,109,580; 6,513,676; 6,533,233 and 6,732,990; and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0238537). However, all utilize only one cupholder and all have at least some of the tray protruding in front of the person in the next seat. In addition, the patents and patent application utilize the armchair holder as a beverage receptacle. The heavy beverage in the beverage receptacle adds to the stability of the food tray. However, when a drink is taken, the food tray may destabilize and need attention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a food tray easy to operate, even by children and the elderly. It is a further object of this invention to securely lock the food tray into an armchair's cup holders to support more weight and food items. It is an object of this invention to provide a food tray that does not invade the space and territory of a person in the adjacent seat. It is a further object of this invention to permit adjacent persons to each use a food tray without invading the other's space.

In one embodiment, there is provided a food tray having a flat plate with an upper surface and a lower surface, a first and a second side and a first and a second end of the plate, a first elbow being positioned under the tray and approximately at the corner of the first end and first side, and a second elbow being positioned under the tray and approximately at the corner of the second end and the first side; the two elbows each having a first portion attached to the lower surface of the plate and being long enough to extend nearly to the bottom of an armchair cupholder, and a second portion angled to pass under the bottom of an armchair cupholder. The food tray can have at least one round opening to accommodate a beverage. The round opening can be a recess in the plate surface. The round opening can be a raised circle. The food tray can have an opening accommodating a hand. The food tray can have an opening accommodating a tray stacker. The food tray's upper surface may have a raised edge, thereby avoiding dropping food items. The food tray's upper surface can be textured to slow the movement of food items. The food tray can be capable of positioning to differently sized seats in airplanes, movie theaters, stadiums and other mass entertainment venues. The food tray can be capable of positioning to differently sized seats in vans, recreational vehicles and boats.

In another embodiment, a food tray has a flat plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first and a second side and a first and a second end of the plate; a first and a second sliding mechanism attached to the lower surface and positioned near the first side of the plate, each sliding mechanism sliding inward from an end of the first side, a first elbow attached to a first sliding mechanism, such that the elbow is positioned near the corner formed by the first end and the first side, and a second elbow attached to a second sliding mechanism, such that the elbow is positioned near the corner formed by the second end and the first side, whereby each elbow can be individually positioned away from its corner toward the center of the first side. The food tray's flat plate has at least one round indentation to accommodate a beverage. The round indentation can be a hole to accommodate the beverage. The round indentation can be formed by a raised circle. The food tray's flat plate may have an opening accommodating a tray stacker. The food tray's upper surface may have at least one raised edge. The food tray's upper surface may be textured, thereby slowing the movement of food items on the tray.

In yet another embodiment, there is a food and beverage tray having a flat plate with an upper surface and a lower surface; a first and a second side and a first and a second end of the plate; a first armature being positioned under the tray and approximately at the corner of the first end and first side, and a second armature being positioned under the tray and approximately at the corner of the second end and the first side; the two armatures each having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being attached to the lower surface of the plate and being long enough to extend nearly to the bottom of an armchair cupholder, and a second portion that can be angled to pass under the bottom of an armchair cupholder.

The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as representating the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or exclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of inventive food trays with elbows locking into the cupholders on armchairs where both arms have cupholders;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the food tray having a rectangular plate to which are attached elbows to lock into armchair cupholders;

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing a food tray with sliding mechanisms to reposition the elbows into optimal configurations for movie theater seats, stadiums, vans and other venues;

FIG. 4 shows the food tray of FIG. 3 positioned with the elbows locked into cupholders;

FIG. 5 shows an isolated elbow on a sliding mechanism with the elbow positioned within and under the cupholder;

FIG. 6 shows an isolated armature with a sliding mechanism with the arm in the straight (A) position and cocked into the bent (B) position to lock the tray in the cupholder; and

FIG. 7 shows a food tray positioned on a stacker with a post protruding through the hand hold.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is a portable food tray generally made of a hard material. The tray is adaptable to suit cupholders on a variety of armchair configurations. Specifically, this tray can be used by moviegoers when they purchase food, beverages, popcorn, etc. at the movie theater for convenient to resting and transporting into the theater their purchased items. Use of this tray reduces distraction from the movie-going experience.

The portable food tray can be used anywhere there are cupholders on the ends of two arms. Such places include but are not limited to vans, recreational vehicles, boats, theaters, stadiums and other venues.

The trays are preferably made of hard plastic, such as is used for coolers or booster chairs. This type of plastic will give the food tray durability and solidity, yet some flexibility for easy use. The material is preferably formed of a resilient plastic material which is sufficiently sturdy to resist deformation, and sufficiently strong to support the weight of the food. Suitable plastic materials for construction include but are not limited to polypropylene, high density polyethylene and polystyrene. The tray also can be made from aluminum. Optional parts discussed below can also be made out of steel or other suitable material. The entire tray can be extruded as one single solid unit, or parts can be manufactured and assembled. The solid unit can be custom made to a specific set of measurements (e.g., fitting a particular movie chain's chair widths) without adjustment ability. The tray also can be made laterally adjustable to accommodate different chair widths.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the inventive seat trays 10 can be seen installed in cupholders 20 on the ends of chair 30 arms 40. Each tray 10 is positioned only in front of its respective chair 30. Each chair 30 cupholder 20 can accommodate ends of two trays 10.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the tray 10. The tray has two sides 50 and 60 and two ends 70 and 80. On the corner formed by side 60 and end 70, there is elbow 90. Elbow 100 is at the corner of side 60 and end 80. The elbows 90 and 100 have bends to stay inside armchair cupholders and thus support the food tray 10. Elbows 90 and 100 have an upper portion 102 which is attached to the underside of the tray 10 and is long enough to extend about to the bottom of the cupholder. Elbows 90 and 100 have a lower portion 104 that is angled with respect to upper portion 102 and that is designed to pass under the bottom of the cupholder and secure the tray 10. Sides 50 and 60 are preferably long enough to position elbows 90 and 100 inside and under the cupholders. Preferably sides 50 and 60 are sized to position the tray ends about halfway across the apposing armchair arms and cupholders. Preferably the tray 10 is not wide enough to enter the adjacent moviegoer's space. Ends 70 and 80 are preferably long enough for the tray 10 to hold several food items, but preferably do not extend beyond the moviegoer's knees so that other moviegoers can move past the laden food tray without dislodging the tray 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the food tray preferably has at least one beverage hole or recess 110. In addition, the food tray 10 has side walls 130 to keep the food items from sliding off. The walls 130 can number zero, one, two, three or four sides of the food tray 10. Optionally the food tray 10 has a hand hold 120 with dual uses: pulling the tray 10 up and away from the armchair cupholders one-handedly and fitting the tray 10 on a stacking apparatus (see below). The hand hold 120 can be any convenient shape. The top surface 135 of the tray is smooth yet rough enough to avoid food items from sliding out of the tray. In one embodiment, the surface 135 is “pebbly.”

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the food tray 10 with an added sliding mechanism 140. The sliding mechanism 140 is preferably attached to the bottom of the tray, away from food and beverages. As shown there are three slots 150 on either end of side 60. Part of each sliding mechanism 140 is a guide 160 that fits into the slots 150. To reposition the elbows 90 and 100, the guide 160 is depressed out of its slot 150 and the elbow(s) 90 and/or 100 are pressed until the guide 160 slips into the desired slot 150.

FIG. 4 shows the tray of FIG. 3 as it fits into the armchair cupholders 20. The elbows 90 and 100 can be moved laterally with the sliding mechanism 140 to better fit in the cupholders 20. Also shown are protruding notches 152 that support and elevate the tray above the moviegoer's knees.

FIG. 5 shows an elbow 90 attached to the sliding mechanism 140 and passing through the armchair cupholder 20. The upper part 102 of the elbow is nearly as long as the cupholder 20 is deep. The lower portion 104 of the elbow is angled to be positioned under the cupholder 20, which anchors the tray 10 over the cupholders 20. The angle in the elbow can be varied from that depicted, so long as the elbow anchors a weighted tray.

FIG. 6 shows a variation of the previously shown elbow. In this embodiment, an armature 170 is attached to the sliding mechanism 140. The armature 170 is straight (A) for easy positioning of the tray over the cupholders. The armature 170 can be turned into an elbow, as shown at B, in a variety of ways. One way is to manually press the lower part 172 of the armature 170 against the bottom of the cupholder. Alternately, there can be indirect ways of moving the lower part 172 of the armature 170 into the locking position. Shown is one such locking device 180. There is a button 190 on the tray, which when depressed, pushes the lower part 172 of the armature 170 to contact the bottom of the cupholder. Levers and hydraulics also can be used according to the experience of one skilled in the art. To remove the tray, one can manually move the lower part of armature 170 from position B to position A and conveniently lift up on the tray.

FIG. 7 shows a single food tray 10 sitting on a stacker 200 with a post 210 coming through the hand hold 120.

In practice, the tray is loaded with food at the concession stand and carried into the theater. The moviegoer sits down and maneuvers the elbows or armatures into the cupholders on either side of the moviegoer. When the movie is over, the moviegoer grasps the tray at the hand hold or at the second side and angles the second side up so that the elbows lift out of the cupholders. When the tray has armatures, the lower part of the armatures is flipped into the straight armature position and the tray can be raised without angling.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. For example, the tray also or alternatively can have sliding mechanisms to move the tray farther from the moviegoer. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A food tray comprising a. a flat plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; b. a first and a second side and a first and a second end of the plate; c. a first elbow being positioned under the tray and approximately at the corner of the first end and first side, and a second elbow being positioned under the tray and approximately at the corner of the second end and the first side; d. the two elbows each having a first portion attached to the lower surface of the plate and being long enough to extend nearly to the bottom of an armchair cupholder; and a second portion angled to pass under the bottom of an armchair cupholder.
 2. The food tray of claim 1, wherein the flat plate has at least one round opening to accommodate a beverage.
 3. The food tray of claim 2, wherein the round opening is a recess in the plate surface.
 4. The food tray of claim 2, wherein the round opening comprises a raised circle.
 5. The food tray of claim 1, wherein the flat plate has an opening accommodating a hand.
 6. The food tray of claim 1, wherein the flat plate has an opening accommodating a tray stacker.
 7. The food tray of claim 1, wherein the upper surface comprises a raised edge, thereby avoiding dropping food items.
 8. The food tray of claim 1, wherein the upper surface is textured to slow the movement of food items.
 9. The food tray of claim 1, being capable of positioning to differently sized seats in airplanes, movie theaters, stadiums and other mass entertainment venues.
 10. The food tray of claim 1, being capable of positioning to differently sized seats in vans, recreational vehicles and boats.
 11. A food tray comprising a. a flat plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; b. a first and a second side and a first and a second end of the plate; c. a first and a second sliding mechanism attached to the lower surface and positioned near the first side of the plate, each sliding mechanism sliding inward from an end of the first side; d. a first elbow attached to a first sliding mechanism, such that the elbow is positioned near the corner formed by the first end and the first side; and e. a second elbow attached to a second sliding mechanism, such that the elbow is positioned near the corner formed by the second end and the first side, whereby, each elbow can be individually positioned away from its corner toward the center of the first side.
 12. The food tray of claim 11, wherein the flat plate has at least one round indentation to accommodate a beverage.
 13. The food tray of claim 12, wherein the round indentation comprises a hole to accommodate the beverage.
 14. The food tray of claim 12, wherein the round recess is formed by a raised circle.
 15. The food tray of claim 12, wherein the flat plate has an opening accommodating a tray stacker.
 16. The food tray of claim 11, wherein the upper surface has at least one raised edge.
 17. The food tray of claim 11, wherein the upper surface is textured, thereby is slowing the movement of food items on the tray.
 18. A food and beverage tray comprising a. a flat plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; b. a first and a second side and a first and a second end of the plate; c. a first armature being positioned under the tray and approximately at the corner of the first end and first side, and a second armature being positioned under the tray and approximately at the corner of the second end and the first side; d. the two armatures each having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being attached to the lower surface of the plate and being long enough to extend nearly to the bottom of an armchair cupholder, and a second portion that can be angled to pass under the bottom of an armchair cupholder. 